ABC13 Introduces 13 Alert Radar Network
Houston, Texas is no stranger to severe weather, with the city facing the highest risk of billion-dollar weather disasters in the country. From hurricanes to tornadoes, flash floods to winter storms, the area experiences a wide range of extreme weather events. With the frequency of these events increasing, it is more important than ever to have the best technology to keep residents safe when severe weather strikes.
In response to this need, ABC13, Houston’s severe weather leader, has introduced the 13 Alert Radar network. This new radar system is aimed at providing the most accurate forecast with superior technology, filling the critical gaps in radar coverage that have been a longstanding issue in the region.
The need for a new radar system became evident due to limitations in the existing NEXRAD network, which, while advanced, still has critical gaps, particularly in areas like southeast Texas. These gaps make it difficult to detect severe weather happening in the region. To address this issue, ABC13 has invested in the 13 Alert Radar network operated by Climavision, a company dedicated to filling these gaps and providing comprehensive coverage of severe weather events.
Radar technology plays a crucial role in detecting severe weather, offering critical information on storm location, movement, and intensity. However, the limitations of existing radar networks mean that some severe weather events, particularly those at lower levels, can go undetected. This was evident in the case of a Valentine’s Day tornado outbreak in 2017, where the existing radar network could not detect an EF-1 tornado that formed over the town of Van Vleck in Matagorda County, resulting in a lack of warning and significant damage.
The 13 Alert Radar network aims to fill these gaps by deploying radars that provide coverage at lower levels, offering insights into severe weather that have never been seen before. The first radar in the network, located in Edna, Texas, effectively fills the coverage gap that prevented the detection of the Van Vleck tornado. Plans are also in place to add two additional radars to the network in 2024, further enhancing coverage and providing advanced warning for severe weather events.
With the introduction of the 13 Alert Radar network, ABC13 is doubling down on its commitment to providing the most accurate and comprehensive forecast for the Houston region, ensuring that residents are better prepared and safer when severe weather strikes. This investment in superior radar technology is a significant step forward in addressing the longstanding issue of radar coverage gaps, ultimately enhancing the safety and well-being of the community.